Born: April 3, 1954 Primary Instrument: Bass
Chuck Deardorf has been an integral member of the Northwest Jazz scene for over two decades. A respected acoustic and electric bassist, his dynamic performances have been a part of countless festivals, nightclubs, and recording sessions. Chuck has toured the United States, Canada, The Caribbean, and Australia with such Jazz greats as saxophonists Bud Shank and Don Lanphere, pianists George Cables and Kenny Barron, vocalist Ernestine Anderson, drummer Winard Harper, and guitarists Larry Coryell and Charlie Byrd. As the first call bassist in Seattle for the last twenty years, he has been chosen to perform with a long list of legendary artists (see performance page). Chuck is a current member of the Deardorf/Peterson Group, the Jovino Santos Neto Quartet, along with the Bill Ramsay Big Band. An accomplished studio musician, Chuck’s bass has been heard on several first run movie soundtracks, dozens of albums and C.D. projects, and numerous Broadway and touring shows. Chuck also has performed on numerous occasions with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Chuck is a professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and director of Jazz Studies for many years.
Last Updated: May 13, 2007
“Chuck is one of my favorite bassists...one of the finest working today”
Bud Shank
“A virtuoso soloist”
Jazz Times
”Bassist Chuck Deardorf has been a yeoman on the Seattle jazz scene for more than 25 years.
His muscular sound and Gibraltar-like time have been heard locally behind everyone from Abbey
Lincoln and Chet Baker to Art Farmer and Mark Murphy. After spending a career in the shadows,
Deardorf finally has stepped into the spotlight with an album under his own name.
Seattle Times
As a Leader:
Portal
Origin Records
Released 2004
Tracks:
1. PORTAL (6:44)
2. RHYTHM TUNE (6:23)
3. CRAZY HEART (5:26)
4. MR SCHMEIL (1:46)
5. THAT’S THE DEAL (8:09)
6. BLUES FOR DAVE (6:57)
7. INVITATION (11:09)
8. SONG FOR LEE (5:59)
9. THE LAST MINUTE (5:57)
10. ANA MARIA (7:45)
Personnel:
The Deardorf / Peterson Group:
Hans Teuber - saxophones
Dave Peterson - guitar
Chuck Deardorf - bass
John Bishop - drums
George Cables - piano, rhodes
Michael Spiro - percussion
As a Leader:
“Worth Waiting For” P.J. Perry/Kenny Barron Jazz Alliance
“Live at the Sky Church” Larry Coryell Rhombus
“Canto de Rio” Jovino Santos Neto Liquid City
“Live in Olympia” Jovino Santos Neto Liquid City
“Caboclo” Jovino Santos Neto Liquid City
“Live at Jazz Alley” Bud Shank Quartet Contemporary/Fantasy
“Tales of the Pilot” Bud Shank/Dave Peck Capri
“The Lost Cathedral” Bud Shank I.T.M.
“Don Lanphere/Larry Coryell” (same) Hep
“Go” Don Lanphere Hep
“Stop” Don Lanphere Hep
“Trio” Dave Peck Let’s Play Stella
“Three and One” Dave Peck Trio Let’s Play Stella
"Photographs" Barney McClure MNOP
“Among Friends” Barney McClure Sage Arts
“Not a day goes by” Barney McClure Sage Arts/BAM
"The Power of a Hat" Gunnar Madsen G-Spot
"Kelly's Heroes" Pete Christlieb/Bill RamsayCARS
"American Songs" Kelly Harland Thinking in Pictures
"Twelve Times Romance" Kelly Harland Origin
“After Image” DavidPeterson Nebula
“Wish I were Here” Blue Sky Bannerworks
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Bass
Location:
Seattle, WA
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Teaching privately for 30+ years; Full Professor at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.
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